Crazy Heart

Credit: Mark J. Terrill/AP

Oscars 2010

POLL: Which Movie Did Oscar Drama Make You Want to See?

Originally posted 03/09/2010 11:00AM

The Academy Awards are known for giving a boost to the movies they celebrate. This year, lots of films had their moment in the Oscar spotlight, piquing the interest of viewers who haven't seen them yet.

Among the films that might have found new audiences on Sunday:

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Filed Under: Crazy Heart, The Hurt Locker, Ben Stiller, John Hughes, Kathryn Bigelow

Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty

Oscars 2010

Oscar History Made: Bigelow, Bullock, Bridges Win

Originally posted 03/08/2010 12:15AM

There may have been few surprises on Oscar night Sunday, but there was plenty of heart.

Glowing in gold as she stood in the winners' circle, Best Actress Sandra Bullock – who noted that George Clooney once threw her into a swimming pool years ago – acknowledged each of her sister nominees, including the "great kisser" Meryl Streep, then focused on the message of her movie, The Blind Side: that the mother figure is the one who brings light and love into a person's life.

In a moment that is bound to be long remembered, Bullock tearfully thanked her mother "Helga B" – Helga D. Meyer, a German opera singer and voice teacher who died in 2000 – whose wise guidance included not letting her daughters ride in cars with boys until they were 18. The Oscar winner admitted that she would have done exactly what her mother feared she would.

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Filed Under: Crazy Heart, Jeff Bridges, Kathryn Bigelow, Sandra Bullock

Credit: Kathy Hutchins/Hutchins

Oscars 2010

QUOTED: Maggie Gyllenhaal High-Fives Jeff Bridges's Heart – and His Vodka

Originally posted 02/17/2010 08:15AM

"[During filming], you had everyone come in your trailer and you had vodka and I wasn't used to that, but I had an almost 2-year-old and I was up for it. And I remember in the end it dwindled down [to a few people] and you put your arm around Scott [Cooper, the director] and said, 'This is our leader, man, this is our leader.' And I wasn't sure, but I went with you because you said that and you said that with all your heart … And I know something about his heart, and he deserves every award that you guys could come up with to give him."

• Maggie Gyllenhaal, presenting her Crazy Heart costar Jeff Bridges his best actor prize Tuesday night at AARP the Magazine's Ninth Annual Movies for Grownup Awards, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.
– Howard Breuer

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Filed Under: Crazy Heart, Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal

Credit: Jemal Countess/Getty

Movie News

Jeff Bridges's Acting Secret: Häagen-Dazs

Originally posted 01/16/2010 10:20AM

To get into character as hard-living country legend Bad Blake in Crazy Heart, Jeff Bridges brushed up on his skills as a musician – and consumed more than his fair share of junk food.

"Normally I watch what I eat. I feel better when I'm in shape and not too overweight," the star told PEOPLE at Sunday's New York Times Arts & Leisure Weekend. "When you're playing a part like [this] ... If you feel like a pint of Häagen-Dazs, you hammer the Häagen-Dazs."

Turning to food to get into character is nothing new for the celebrated actor. "It's something I always do," Bridges, 60, , who nabbed a Critics' Choice Award Friday, explained. "You think of the physicality of the character and what kind of food you need to help create the physical shape you're looking for."

Doppelganger Kris Kristofferson, whose looks and legend Bridges channeled for the role enjoyed the actor's look-alike performance and joked about sharing screen time in the future.

"We saw the movie together and Kris laughed at how much I reminded him of him," said Bridges. "We looked in the mirror and said, 'We gotta play brothers, man! We had a good laugh.' "